As a young aspiring entertainer, Ella Fitzgerald, in her teenage years, participated in the renowned Harlem Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in New York. Originally planning to showcase her dancing skills, Fitzgerald made a spontaneous decision to sing instead after a dance act preceded her performance. Despite facing initial ridicule from the audience due to visible nervousness, Fitzgerald courageously pushed through and delivered a captivating performance that marked the beginning of her legendary career. This career spanned the entirety of the 20th century, significantly influencing the American songbook and solidifying Fitzgerald’s position as one of the foremost singers of the modern era.
In Judith Tick’s work, “Becoming Ella Fitzgerald: The Jazz Singer Who Transformed American Song,” the author delves into Fitzgerald’s extraordinary journey and the profound impact she had on both the music industry and American society. As a professor emerita of music history at Northeastern University, Tick combines her historical expertise with recent interviews and newly accessible digital archives of Black-owned newspapers from that era.
Tick vividly portrays the immense challenges that Fitzgerald encountered and ultimately conquered. Despite the auspicious start at the Apollo, Fitzgerald continued to defy both personal and professional expectations, showcasing resilience and determination throughout her career.
Born in 1917 in a disadvantaged area of Yonkers, New York, Fitzgerald’s early life was marked by modesty and a passion for dance, complemented by her inclination for singing among friends. Initial exposure through local competitions paved the way for her future endeavors.
The pivotal moment in 1934 at the Apollo highlighted Fitzgerald’s exceptional ability to connect with diverse audiences, a skill that defined her entire career and enabled her to transcend societal barriers of class and race, pioneering new musical territories. Her contributions to the evolution of bebop and the fusion of jazz and pop genres are undeniable.
Tick recounts how Fitzgerald’s standout performance at the Apollo captured the attention of Chick Webb, leading to a significant collaboration that propelled both their careers forward. In an era where female singers were often relegated to mere adornments in big bands, Fitzgerald and Webb’s partnership stood out as a remarkable exception. Following Webb’s passing in 1939, Fitzgerald assumed leadership of the band, embarking on collaborations with Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, and Louis Armstrong that pushed boundaries and reshaped musical landscapes.
Throughout the decades, Fitzgerald’s impact reverberated across various spheres. Her interactions with the Black press, as detailed by Tick through sources like the Baltimore Afro-American and The Pittsburgh Courier, shed light on her candidness and dissatisfaction with industry practices, such as her critique of Decca Records’ management.
Beyond her musical prowess, Fitzgerald’s rise to fame amidst a backdrop of institutionalized segregation highlighted societal inequalities. Instances like her publicized dispute with Pan American Airways, where she refused a segregated seating arrangement for her band, underscored her unwavering stance against discrimination.
Despite her growing prominence, Fitzgerald maintained a low profile in the tabloids, prioritizing her music and defying conventions by bridging jazz and pop, appealing to audiences across racial and social divides.
In Judith Tick’s meticulous portrayal, Fitzgerald emerges as a trailblazer deserving of profound recognition and admiration.